Do Buddy Classes Work?
Shared learning in a co-teaching situation with a similar cohort or even a peer tutoring situation with a younger or older class is a stimulating opportunity to invigorate your learners and do something different in your classroom.
Having a buddy class can be a great way for students to learn the content in a new way or just share something together. When learning is presented in a different way than the norm you will find that it tends to stick with the students more so as they are able to make more connections and drawback to these significant memories.
There are options for finding a buddy class;
a fellow class at your school on the same year level - possibly the class next door for ease of access
a fellow class at your school that is either older or younger than your class - typically classes from Years 3-6 are paired with classes from Kindergarten to Year 2.
a class you can connect with via zoom within your same country - maybe you have a friend at another school who is interested in pairing up.
a class you can connect with via zoom from another country - you could put out a message on Twitter or a teachers Facebook group looking for someone who wants to take part
Peer Support is another similar program however it means children working with all ages throughout the school. It can work very successfully with good leadership
There are many benefits of working with a buddy class;
Working together with a buddy class enhances the students cooperative learning behaviors such as taking turns, sharing knowledge, praising another’s efforts, helping one another, listening, and successfully completing a task.
When older students are matched with the younger ones they feel proud of themselves that they can be helpful and friendships flourish as the year progresses.
If connecting with a class from another country; this is a fascinating learning experience for both classes involved. Imagine the opportunities for learning and skill development.
Enhance your own teaching style as you work cooperatively with another peer. A great opportunity to learn from each other
For buddy classes to work successfully;
Consider meeting regularly, whether that is every Tuesday morning or once a month, but establish a date and time and create a routine that your class can look forward to.
Establish ground rules - where are you going to meet, will the children have student buddies within the class, what will be the learning intention of the lesson…
Stick to just two classes; any more than this and it becomes almost unmanageable
If it is not possible to meet then still complete the lesson individually and perhaps send photos of work completed and compare what you both came up with for that lesson. Write letters or emails like pen pals and share what is currently happening in your school.
Stay on track with time. Keep to your agreed time limit so it does not interfere or disrupt your daily program.
Some ideas for shared learning experiences include;
reading books together - pair students up
writing stories - do a modelled lesson together first
get outside and playing sporting games against each other
do science experiments or STEM challenges together
completing art activities
cooking - children love cooking
an escape room
Year 6 assisting Kindergarten in the first few weeks of school
maths group games
dance lessons - try some partner or line dances
Do you think buddy classes can work? Have you had success in the past? Do you have a buddy class or is something you are thinking of implementing? Feel free to share your thoughts and join the conversation by leaving a comment below.